4 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
By Woman's Day Staff
Celebrate Earth Day, April 22
Helping the environment doesn't always mean big changes to your lifestyle. Read on for four easy ways you can save energy, preserve water and avoid toxins.
Eco Chic
If Mother Nature wore actual (not imaginary) clothing, we're pretty sure she'd love Patagonia's Versatiliti Dress. It's made of soft organic cotton and Tencel, a biodegradable fabric spun from wood pulp cellulose. And it's-get this-recyclable! Patagonia's Common Threads Initiative allows customers to mail in a used dress or drop it off at a participating Patagonia store for reprocessing into fabric and eventually a new garment.
Dress your best with these 9 secrets from wardrobe stylists.
Cooking Green
Nonstick pans are the best thing to have happened to the omelet since butter-with one hitch: When heated above 500°F, a compound frequently used for nonstick coatings, polytetrafluoro-ethylene (PTFE), releases toxic fumes that can cause respiratory problems, says the Environmental Working Group. Lucky for those who appreciate saving calories and cleanup time, eco-friendly PTFE-free versions have been popping up. One we love is the GreenPan Lima with Thermolon 9.5-in fry pan ($34.99; BedBathandBeyond.com ). It's thick and sturdy; it can take the heat up to an overachieving 850°F; and unlike many green pans, it's oven-safe.
Discover 5 new eco-friendly products for your home.
5 Water-Saving Strategies
Easy ways to use less of our planet's most precious resource-and keep more cash in your pocket. Photo: Shutterstock
240 gallons: Your monthly saving if, when brushing your teeth, you rinse when you're done rather than letting the water run. YEARLY SAVINGS: $11
2,130 gallons: Your annual saving if you run your washing machine only when it's full. YEARLY SAVINGS: $8
50 gallons: The amount you save per shower if you use a low-flow showerhead for just 10 minutes. YEARLY SAVINGS: $271
10 gallons: What you save doing dishes each time if you wash them all first and do one rinse afterward. YEARLY SAVINGS: $27
10,000 gallons: Your annual saving if you fix leaks (drippy faucets, running toilets) around your home. YEARLY SAVINGS: $37
Sources: Environmental Protection Agency, American Water Works Association. Savings are national averages for a family of four.
Cut utility costs with these quick tips.
Energy-Saving Tip: Power Down
Shave $75 or more a year off your electricity bills by using the "standby" or "hibernate" feature on your computer. To enjoy these savings, set it to activate after 15 minutes of idling.
Learn how to save big on your electricity bill.
Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.
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